President

Ms. Trish Ruiz, a resident of Hobbs, New Mexico, attended ENMU before completing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of the Southwest. She is a counselor at Hobbs High School and a former adjunct professor at the University of the Southwest. She served as the co-chair of the Workforce Solutions, Workman’s Compensation, and the State Personnel Office committees for Governor Lujan Grisham’s transition team.

Ruiz has extensive experience in public service. She has served as member and officer of the board of directors for the National Education Association New Mexico (NEA-NM), former vice chair and treasurer for NEA-NM’s National Hispanic Caucus, member of the New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority (NMPSIA), vice president of the board of trustees for Con Alma Health Foundation, and chair of the Lea County Democratic Party. Ruiz recently completed a term on the New Mexico Public Education Commission, District 9, serving as the commission’s vice chair.

“Serving on the ENMU Board of Regents affords us the opportunities to continue to advocate for students, to seek ways to adapt curriculum to our ever-changing needs, and provide the necessary means to garner continued student success,” Ruiz said. “I’m grateful for the tremendous successes the current board has accomplished, and look forward to continuity and successful partnerships with students, staff, communities and all stakeholders.”

Vice President

Ray Birmingham is a highly successful educator, having spent 43 years in New Mexico’s public and private learning institutions. As a high school, two-year college, 4-year private and public University employee of New Mexico, Birmingham has brought state and national recognition to each institution he has served.

Birmingham’s accomplishments as a baseball coach at Mayfield High School (Las Cruces), the University of the Southwest (Hobbs), New Mexico Junior College (Hobbs), and the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque) are nationally acclaimed. Birmingham has won numerous national, regional, state, and conference championships and every institution Birmingham has coached has been ranked amongst the top 25 teams in the country multiple times. He has also coached team USA abroad in Asia, Europe, South America, and Cuba.

Birmingham is a 1973 graduate of Hobbs High School, a 1975 graduate of New Mexico Junior College, a 1978 graduate of New Mexico State University (Bachelor’s in education), and a 1999 graduate of the University of the Southwest (Master’s in education administration).

A devoted New Mexico educator, Birmingham served on numerous boards and committees in communities throughout the state, from Farmington to Hobbs and Albuquerque to Las Cruces. The Albuquerque Journal has labeled Birmingham as one of New Mexico’s “Top Ambassadors.”

Birmingham has been named a regent for a six-year term through Dec. 31, 2028.

Student Regent

Emily Wilbanks, from Portales, New Mexico, will graduate with her bachelor’s in communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism and public relations from Eastern New Mexico University in May 2025. Wilbanks will begin her master’s degree in communications in August 2025.

Since starting school in January 2023, Wilbanks has made it her mission to serve her peers, her community, and Eastern New Mexico University. As a dedicated communications student, Wilbanks has pursued much on-air and behind-the-scenes work to tell the stories of the people and ideas that should be heard. Wilbanks is now the student podcast producer and host of a wellness podcast at Eastern called Greyhound Grit through the health and wellness department. Through various opportunities for volunteer work and public advocacy on campus, Wilbanks has spent her time at Eastern as an active and passionate student.

Wilbanks comes from a family of dedicated Eastern Alumni dating back to 1968. With her Greyhound family background and her goals of servitude, she is dedicated to making the campus a better place for every student who steps foot into Eastern New Mexico University.

Wilbanks has been named as a student regent to a two-year term through December 31, 2026.

Member

Phillip Bustos is the retired vice president for Student Services at CNM. A native New Mexican, he attended ENMU from 1975 through 1978. Bustos’ career began in drug and alcohol counseling, followed by service in student affairs at the University of North Texas, the Auraria Higher Education Center in Denver, Colorado, and finally, CNM. He is involved in numerous volunteer and aid organizations in the Albuquerque area.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected to serve the students, staff and faculty of Eastern New Mexico University,” Bustos said. “I hope my background and experience will benefit all as we navigate the challenging times ahead. Together we can position Eastern for success.”

Member

Lance A. Pyle was confirmed as an ENMU regent in March 2019. He currently serves as Curry County Manager, a position he has held since December of 2007. A graduate of Melrose High School, Mr. Pyle earned an associate degree in Business Administration with honors from Clovis Community College in December 2001 and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with distinction from ENMU in December 2004. He served on the Melrose City Council and was elected mayor of Melrose (2006-10). Serving first as interim Curry County Manager, he was named the permanent County Manager two months later. In 2017, Pyle received designation as a Credentialed Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and is the third New Mexico County Manager to become credentialed. Mr. Pyle serves on several boards and committees at the local and State level, including chairman of the New Mexico County Insurance Authority Workers Compensation Pool Board, board member of the New Mexico County Insurance Authority Multi-Line Insurance Pool Board and a member of the New Mexico Amigos Goodwill Ambassadors for the State of New Mexico among many others. Mr. Pyle is married (2010); he and his wife have two daughters.